⭐ Starlight Tools / 2048

2048 – Simple. Smooth. Private.

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Ready. Use arrow keys / swipe to play. Reach 2048!

Everything runs locally in your browser—no uploads, no accounts.

About 2048

2048 is a minimalist number-puzzle played on a 4×4 grid. You slide all tiles in one direction (↑ ↓ ← →). When two tiles with the same value touch, they merge into one, doubling the number. New tiles (usually a 2, sometimes a 4) appear after each move. The aim is to create a 2048 tile — and see how far you can go.

Learn more on Wikipedia: 2048 – the puzzle game.

How to Play

  • Use (or swipe) to move all tiles.
  • Tiles with the same number merge once per move.
  • A new 2 (90% chance) or 4 (10%) spawns after each valid move.
  • Your score increases by the value of merged tiles. Best is saved locally on your device.

Winning Strategies (Simple & Reliable)

  1. Pick a “corner” and protect it. Keep your highest tile fixed in one corner (e.g., bottom-right). Avoid moves that pull it out.
  2. Make a monotonic row/column. Next to your corner, arrange numbers in descending order (e.g., 128-64-32-16). This prevents loose tiles blocking merges.
  3. Prefer two directions. Most moves should alternate between two axes (e.g., right ↓). Use the other two only to resolve jams.
  4. Don’t swipe on impulse. A “no-gain” move still spawns a new tile and can clog the board. Look ahead one step.
  5. Clear low tiles early. If a small number sneaks into your corner row, fix it quickly before the board fills.

Scoring & Tile Values

Each merge adds to your score the value of the resulting tile. Sequence goes: 2 → 4 → 8 → 16 → 32 → 64 → 128 → 256 → 512 → 1024 → 2048 → 4096 … The board size (4×4) keeps the game tactical; efficient merges matter more than speed.

FAQ

Is this version private?

Yes. It runs entirely in your browser; no gameplay data is uploaded. Best score is stored in localStorage on your device.

What does Undo do?

Undo reverts the last move only (grid and score). It’s disabled if you haven’t moved yet or already used it.

Any tips for beginners?

Commit to a corner, avoid vertical moves that dislodge your top tile, and only break pattern to resolve a blockage.